Make an Upcycled Potting Bench

A potting bench for your garden gives you a place to store tools and supplies, and lets you work comfortably with your plants, without bending over. Becky Lamb, author of Crafting with Wood Pallets, explains how to make this project. 

Here's what you'll need to make your potting bench: 

SUPPLIES 

• One pallet with large spaces between pallet boards (this one is 36" × 36") 

• Five 2" × 4" pallet boards 

• Four 3-1⁄2"-wide pallet boards, at least 36" long
• One 3-1⁄2"-wide to 4"- wide pallet board, at least 40" long 
• One 5-1⁄2"-wide (or wider) pallet board, at least 36" long 
• Pallet boards in a width (generally 3-1⁄2" or narrower) that will fit in the large spaces in main pallet 
• 2" screws
• 1-5⁄8" screws

• 1-1⁄4" screws
• 1-3⁄8" brad nails 
• Hooks
• Paint in various colors
• Paintbrushes

• Clear sealer 

TOOLS 

• Saw

• Palm sander 
• Drill

• Brad nailer 
• Tape measure
• Clamps 

Making a potting bench from a wooden pallet takes about 3 hours, plus drying time for any paints you apply. This DIY project is for "expert" crafters. Begin by sawing the pallet in half along the center 2"x4" support board. Leave the 2"x4" attached to the side of the pallet. That will become the top of the potting bench.

Becky Lamb, author of Crafting with Wood Pallets (Ulysses Press), says, "Measure the end width of the potting bench top. Cut two 3-1⁄2"- to 4" wide pallet boards this length. The end pictured here is 18-3⁄4" long."